ALL steam trains on the West Somerset Railway (WSR) have been suspended for a week due to the ongoing extreme hot weather.

The WSR took the decision to operate only diesel trains as a precaution on Saturday (August 15) following Government warnings about the dangers of wildfires as the area experienced a fifth heatwave of the year to date.

All ticket holders were notified by email and a WSR spokesperson said normal steam services would resume when weather conditions improved.

However, the heritage railway has now decided not to run steam trains on the 20-mile line between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard before Saturday, August 22.

The decision came as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a yellow heat-health alert for the Westcountry until 9 am on Tuesday.

A yellow alert, the lowest of three levels, means the heat may pose a threat to the health of vulnerable people.

The WSR spokesperson said: “Due to the current dry weather conditions, all steam services are currently suspended up to and including Thursday, August 20.

“Services will continue to operate with our heritage diesel fleet, please check our daily timetables for up to date information.

“Thank you for your understanding and support.”

The railway does not run steam services on Fridays, meaning Saturday will be the earliest they resume.

Last week, the WSR cancelled some afternoon services at the peak of the amber heat-health alert as temperatures rose into the 30s.

The UK’s Met Office has forecast that temperatures will not drop below 20C until Friday, although it said there was a chance of light rain setting in on Tuesday and continuing through the rest of the week.

The WSR also suspended steam trains for three days in June during an earlier heatwave, just before the iconic Sir Nigel Gresley returned for a special weekend running.

It said at the time the forecasted extreme heat was too high for it to risk the welfare of staff and customers and to protect the railway’s infrastructure.